Rutgers at Ohio State odds, picks and predictions
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (8-4, 0-1 Big Ten) and Ohio State Buckeyes (11-2, 1-1) meet Wednesday at Value City Arena in Columbus. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET (BTN). Below, we analyze FanDuel Sportsbook's lines around the Rutgers vs. Ohio State odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
The Scarlet Knights avoided a huge embarrassment last time out on Saturday, sneaking by Stonehill 59-58 as a 25.5-point favorite as the Under (137) cashed. Rutgers is just 3-3 straight up (SU) and 1-5 against the spread (ATS) in the past 6 outings, and the Under has hit in 6 of the past 7 games. The Scarlet Knights are searching for their conference win after getting waxed by Illinois 76-58 on Dec. 2 as a 1.5-point favorite.
The Buckeyes posted a 78-75 win in overtime on Saturday against West Virginia, and Ohio State has won and covered the past 3 contests after an 0-3 ATS skid. The Over is 5-2 across the past 7 games for the Buckeyes. Ohio State is looking to rebound in conference play after an 83-80 loss at Penn State on Dec. 9.
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Rutgers at Ohio State odds
Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:49 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rutgers +340 (bet $100 to win $340) | Ohio State -450 (bet $450 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Rutgers +8.5 (-102) | Ohio State -8.5 (-120)
- Over/Under (O/U): 132.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Rutgers at Ohio State picks and predictions
Prediction
Ohio State 71, Rutgers 60
Moneyline
Ohio State (-450) will cost you 4 1/2 times your potential return, and that's a little on the expensive side, even though it has been red hot, including wins over UCLA and West Virginia during the 3-game win and cover streak.
Rutgers (+340) has been limping along lately, and it nearly lost to a bad Stonehill team, which would have been a Q4 loss. It cannot be trusted, either.
PASS.
Against the spread
OHIO STATE -8.5 (-120) will cost you a little extra juice at home, but it's worth it. The Buckeyes have covered in 3 in a row, and it is shooting for its season-high 4th straight outing.
Rutgers +8.5 (-102) his just 1-5 ATS in the past 6 games after a solid 4-1 ATS run. As the quality of opponent has picked up, the Scarlet Knights have struggled badly.
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Over/Under
UNDER 132.5 (-105) is a good play, thanks mostly due to the shutdown defense of Rutgers.
The Scarlet Knights have struggled to score lately, going for 60 or fewer points on offense in 4 of the past 6 games. However, the Under is 6-1 in the past 7 games overall, while going 10-2 overall on the season. That's because the defense is legit, allowing just 61.4 points per game (PPG), while holding teams to just 37.4% in defensive field-goal percentage.
The Buckeyes have allowed 64 or fewer points in 5 of the past 7 games, so they know a thing about defense, too. The offense has been hot, though, scoring 78 or more points in 8 of the past 9. The key to this Under will be Ohio State's offense vs. Rutgers' defense. Go low, but be careful.
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